Teachers’ Union Boss Talks Reopening Schools [VIDEO]
Jackie Lansdale, President of the Red River United Teachers Union, talks to 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the CDC guidelines for reopening schools in the fall.
Lansdale first makes the point that the Center for Disease rules, which were made public on Wednesday, are "painting with a broad brush."
"It has to be," Lansdale says. "It's like anything else in public education. We've always had to negotiate, to figure out the logistics of providing educational strategies and keeping students safe at the same time. That's what we've done and that's what we'll continue to do."
And in addressing the criticism that the CDC's rules are draconian and overly complicated. "I think everybody believes it, that they were overly broad. When you look at Caddo Parish, for example, you have a district that is huge. It had rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas. So, you have to have a plan that (takes into consideration) what you have. It all begins with the schools. How do we get the children into our schools and safely educate them."
Then the union president, in talking about a possible return to the classroom this fall, indirectly discusses a new normal. "In the schools, we provide 63,720 instructional minutes. You can provide them however you want to, as long as you get there," Lansdale says, "It may be a longer school year. It may be staggering students every other day. It may be students going a half day. It may be students choosing between 'distance learning' and going to the classroom. There's a number of things that can be done."
READ MORE: 10 free apps to help you get fit in our new normal
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![7 Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Release Stress During the Holiday Season](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2020/08/RS41295_GettyImages-1150384564.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Baton Rouge Elementary School Shuts Down Due to ‘Several COVID-19 Cases’](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2022/08/attachment-Google-Maps.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Looking to Save Money? How Long Does Produce Last?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2021/12/attachment-Fresh-Produce-Photo-courtesy-of-engin-akyurt-Y5n8mCpvlZU-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Governor Makes Announcement Regarding Statewide Mask Mandate](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2020/06/Governor-John-Bel-Edwards.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Carencro Catholic Forced to Delay Return to School After 60% of Campus Tests Positive for COVID](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2022/01/attachment-marco-fileccia-HE7_hMkqn9A-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Internet Responds to Latest CDC Recommendations with Hilarious ‘Bad Advice’ Memes](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2022/01/attachment-national-cancer-institute-L8tWZT4CcVQ-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![LPSS Update on Possible Staffing Challenges and Quarantine Guidance for Students](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2018/02/LPSS-SIgn-KPEL-Photo-e1456810780891.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Santa Offers Kids $100 to Get COVID Vax at Shreveport Mall](http://townsquare.media/site/181/files/2016/12/158313365.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![“mRNA Vaccine Trailblazer” Explains His Opposition to COVID Vaccine Mandate for Kids](http://townsquare.media/site/182/files/2021/04/GettyImages-1232146964.jpg?w=980&q=75)